“The Rich Man The Queen” by Hans Holbein the Younger, created circa 1525 in Germany, is a woodcut on paper measuring 64 x 96 cm. Part of the Northern Renaissance art movement and categorized under allegorical painting, it belongs to Holbein’s series titled “The Dance of Death”.
The artwork is divided into two panels. The left panel, titled “Der Ryche man,” portrays a wealthy man seated in an opulent interior. He appears distressed by the skeletal figure of Death, which intrudes upon his wealth and possessions scattered on the table and floor. The environment is dense with symbols of affluence, such as chests and coins, providing a stark contrast to the presence of Death.
In the right panel, titled “Die Küngin,” a queen is depicted in a scene lush with architectural and natural elements. Death, again in skeletal form, is seen engaging with the queen and her entourage, symbolizing the unavoidable fate that befalls all, regardless of status. The juxtaposition of regal grace with the grim figure of Death conveys the allegorical message that mortality transcends social boundaries. Together, these panels underscore the universal theme of life’s impermanence, a cornerstone of “The Dance of Death” series.
